In favor of Michigan-OSU II

November 21st, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

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If there’s one thing the BCS is good for - in fact, perhaps the only thing it’s good for, since it ain’t so good at distinguishing the best two college football teams every year - is open-ended conversation. It’s like you can’t be wrong:

Dude 1: Hey, I think Florida should go to the National Championship.

Dude 2: WHAT!? USC is by far the better team, nimrod. USC should go!

Dude 1: Well, um, I have no real understanding of the system, so I guess I can’t argue with you there. I respect your point of view, sir.

Dude 2: And I respect yours.

Dude 1: Wow…OK.

Dude 2: Yeah. So. This got awkward.

Dude 1: A bit.

Dude 2: Yeah.

Dude 1: FUCK THE BCS!!!

Dude 2: Yeah, fuck it!!!

Dude 1: We’re friends now!!!

And…scene. You see? There are no really wrong answers, except to say that you like the BCS. And I think Skip Bayless usually does that once right around this time of year…

But here’s the point I want to get around to making. And Bomani Jones, a very likable, level-headed Page 2 contributor (who even - gasp! - has his own blog), made halfway for me yesterday.

Why shouldn’t Michigan play again for the BCS title? What would possibly be bad about this? Well, two quick things: USC, who has a much tougher schedule than Michigan, would lose out; and Florida (or Arkansas) would get screwed. Once again, the SEC - the country’s best conference, by far - would be left out of the National Championship.

But in examining those three teams, do you see either Florida, Arkansas, or USC as summarily better than Michigan? Do you think any of those teams could have realistically taken Ohio State to the wire in Columbus? I say no. Michigan’s the second best team in the country, hands down, and they should be afforded the opportunity any second-best team should ever get - the chance to compete for first-best. (Not a word.)

In fact, this year might be easier than BCS years past. We’ve already seen the best two teams play each other in the regular season. There’s no need to calculate anything, really. Just send ‘em back out there again. And rest assured that no matter what happens, a tournament has to, and soon. Or silly little blogs like ours will spend a bit too much time writing about the BCS, and that’s not good for anybody.

UPDATE: MJD has a good take on this - as well as some thoughtful commenters rounding out the discussion.

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3 Responses to “ In favor of Michigan-OSU II”


  1. PostmanE
    November 21, 200610:13 am

    Just so everyone knows…I’ve never really had an argument like that in my life. They’re usually conducted with far less respect for the other person’s point of view. And settled over video games.

  2. DwiGuy
    November 21, 200610:53 am

    E-

    You are like a sage who is wise beyond his years. Usually, I hate the BCS, but it looks like it’s going to work out correctly this year. Neither Florida, Notre Dame, Arkansas, (insert your team here), are getting screwed if Michigan plays in the championship game. They are the second best team in the country whose only loss was to the No. 1 team in all the land by 3 points on the road. It’s that simple. Florida winds down with Western Carolina and what can they expect? The only argument would be if there was another undefeated team…and there isn’t. (Boise State doesn’t count) OSU-Michigan II is how it should end. Fin.

  3. jeremy Boswell
    December 2, 200611:08 pm

    The fact of the matter is that Michigan had its shoot and lost. There are over a hundred teams in Division 1 football and to say that Michigan alone deserves a shoot at Ohio State is bias and rediculous. Oh, sorry, I guess Texas and the other ‘amazing teams’ in the Big Ten outside of the top two did as well. Florida all the way; they had the toughest schedule in the nation this year and they deserve a chance. Michigan might play, but it would be a shame and predicated on greed.

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